 Capital construction plan has funds for local projectsA
long-awaited capital construction plan passed by the Senate on Sept.
18 includes projects that would benefit area citizens. The $25.4
billion multiyear plan includes funding for roads and bridges,
schools, community colleges, environmental and water projects,
energy development, technology, public transit, railroads, airports,
and state facilities.
There is no question that road projects, new schools, water and
sewer system improvements are important to the vitality of
communities all across Illinois. I have long said I could support a
fair and responsible capital spending program. However, it has been
several years since we have had the opportunity to have our
questions answered, such as which projects in which communities will
get funding. The difference this time is that we have received the
information we need to support this plan.
Funding for projects within the 44th Senate District would
include $270,000 for Central Illinois Regional Airport in
Bloomington for apron pavement rehabilitation; $230,000 for Decatur
Airport for a hangar replacement project; $180,000 for Logan County
Airport for a storm sewer project; $829,000 to Logan Correctional
Center to replace housing unit roofs; $2.1 million for Lincoln
Correctional Center to upgrade the fire alarm system; $800,000 for
Decatur Civic Center; $13.6 million for engineering costs for a
project on the East Bypass at Bloomington-Normal; $19.9 million for
additional lanes and engineering costs on Interstate 55, from I-39
at Normal to the northeast interchange with Business I-55; $44.4
million to construct Centennial East/West Visual Arts Center at ISU;
and $1.5 million for capital renewal projects at ISU.
The proposed capital construction plan now goes to the House of
Representatives. If approved by the House, it must also be signed by
the governor before it can take effect.
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 Capital construction plan overview
The capital construction plan would include an investment
statewide in schools, roads and the economy, totaling $25.4 billion
in state, local and federal funds.
Roads and bridges would receive $15.6 billion in funding over six
years. Illinois interstates, highways and streets would be expanded
and repaved in order to maintain the state's economic
competitiveness. Special consideration is being given to bridges
that may be structurally deficient.
Schools would benefit from an additional $3.5 billion in funding
over three years to pay for new construction and renovations to
existing facilities. Schools would receive an additional $304
million for fiscal 2008 for classroom programs.
Other highlights of the plan include:
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$230 million in
economic development.
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$150 million in
school maintenance grants -- $50,000 in matching grants will be
provided to every school district in the state.
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$550 million to
public universities for capital improvements.
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$250 million to
community colleges for capital improvements.
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$155 million over
three years to cover flood control, dam repair, underground
storage tank control and brownfield cleanup programs.
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$500 million for
alternate energy development.
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$90 million in
technology investment.
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$425 million over
three years for public transportation.
[Text from file received from
Sen.
Bill Brady]
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